The prospect of a 15 dollar tourist levy for people visiting Stewart Island is still up in the air

Southland District Council's Community and Strategy Committee has met to discuss the proposed hike.

At the moment visitors pay $5 a trip.

Senior policy analyst Carrie Williams says there are still questions to be answered.

She says without a levy increase, the impact on ratepayers needs to be considered.

A decision isn't expected until mid-year.